The Setting Trick: Conversations with World Class Bridge Players

Ep. 110: Nabil Edgtton Taught AJ Antonios Bridge in Three Months and They Won the Gold Coast Teams

In this episode of The Setting Trick, I sit down with Nabil Edgtton, one of the best bridge players in the world, and AJ Antonios, a professional poker player who learned bridge from scratch then won the 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams three months later. Longtime friends from poker, Nabil and AJ were living together, when Nabil finally convinced AJ to learn bridge. What followed was three hours of study every morning, five days a week. AJ describes a teacher with enormous knowledge and no patience. Nabil describes a student he expected to remember everything first time. When they won their first club game, after about a fortnight, opponents refused to believe AJ had just started! They both love to razz each other, starting from the story of how they first met. Nabil stacked AJ three times in a small poker game, then told him he was too good for these stakes. AJ explains why he rates bridge among the most skill based games he has played, and why its community beats every other he has been part of. Then there is the golf bet, which began with a claim that Nabil could clear the fence at a driving range and ended with a $220,000 wager, an acupuncture session and a punctured lung. AJ closes on Australian Survivor, where he finished third, and on the one minute that undid seven weeks. __________________________________________________ Key Highlights 🃏 Three Months to a National Title: AJ learned bridge from zero, won the 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams, then stopped playing. 🔑 Teaching From the Student's Side: Nabil is blunt about his own coaching. You have to explain a game from the learner's side, not your own. 🧠 A Flexible Mind Beats One Foundation: AJ credits Magic, poker, Yu Gi Oh and a Lebanese game called Tarneeb for giving each new idea somewhere to sit. 🎰 Stacked Three Times, Then Recruited: Nabil took AJ's money three times at a poker table, then told him he belonged in bigger games. ⛳ The Bet That Went Over the Fence: A claim about clearing a 350 metre fence became a $220,000 bet that Nabil could reach a three handicap. 🏝 Survivor Tests You at Your Worst: AJ finished third after 47 days in Samoa, lost 15 kilos, and stopped eating to kill a rumour. Resources & Next Steps 🃏 Nabil Edgtton's ABF player profile 🏆 The 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams honour board 📰 Liam Milne's match report on the Gold Coast final 🎙 Episode 26, our earlier Nabil interview 🏝 AJ on Australian Survivor 🃏 Grand Archive, AJ's next worlds 📚 Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool 📸 The Setting Trick on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

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Ep. 110: Nabil Edgtton Taught AJ Antonios Bridge in Three Months and They Won the Gold Coast

In this episode of The Setting Trick, I sit down with Nabil Edgtton, one of the best bridge players in the world, and AJ Antonios, a professional poker player who learned bridge from scratch and won the 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams three months later. Nabil talked AJ into moving in together, then announced on day one that they were learning bridge. What followed was three hours of study every morning, five days a week. AJ describes a teacher with enormous knowledge and no patience. Nabil describes a student he expected to remember everything first time. Within a fortnight, opponents at his club refused to believe AJ had been playing for weeks. We also get into how they met at a poker table, where Nabil stacked AJ three times, then told him he was too good for his stakes. AJ explains why he rates bridge among the most skill based games he has played, and why its community beats every other he has been part of. Then there is the golf bet, which began with a claim that Nabil could clear the fence at a driving range and ended with a $220,000 wager, an acupuncture session and a punctured lung. AJ closes on Australian Survivor, where he finished third, and on the one minute that undid seven weeks. __________________________________________________ Key Highlights 🃏 Three Months to a National Title: AJ learned bridge from zero, won the 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams, then stopped playing. 🔑 Teaching From the Student's Side: Nabil is blunt about his own coaching. You have to explain a game from the learner's side, not your own. 🧠 A Flexible Mind Beats One Foundation: AJ credits Magic, poker, Yu Gi Oh and a Lebanese game called tanib for giving each new idea somewhere to sit. 🎰 Stacked Three Times, Then Recruited: Nabil took AJ's money three times at a poker table, then told him he belonged in bigger games. ⛳ The Bet That Went Over the Fence: A claim about clearing a 350 metre fence became a $220,000 bet that Nabil could reach a three handicap. 🏝 Survivor Tests You at Your Worst: AJ finished third after 47 days in Samoa, lost 15 kilos, and stopped eating to kill a rumour. __________________________________________________ Resources & Next Steps 🃏 Nabil Edgtton's ABF player profile 🏆 The 2020 Gold Coast Open Teams honour board 🎙 Episode 26, our earlier Nabil interview 🏝 AJ on Australian Survivor 🃏 Grand Archive, AJ's next worlds 📚 Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool 📸 The Setting Trick on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

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Ep. 109: Tim Verbeek on 28 Years of Bridge, Catching Cheaters, and Learning to Lose

In this episode of The Setting Trick, I sit down with Tim Verbeek, professional bridge player and Chairman of the Dutch Athletes Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about competitive bridge in the Netherlands and beyond. We open by reminiscing about a dinner in Lyon at the 2017 Transnational World Championships, where he helped pull me out of my post-elimination funk. From there we get into the remarkable depth of Dutch bridge talent, and the origin story of Tim's partnership with Danny Molenaar, which started when they were 12 and 13 years old and has now spanned 28 years. We also dig into one of the most uncomfortable topics in competitive bridge: cheating. Tim walks through real cases, from the Lotan Fisher scandal to an online incident during COVID to a player at the Dutch Bridge Federation who duplicated a key to access hand records. He explains how he developed an eye for suspicious patterns, and why the standard of evidence required to convict in bridge is so much higher than for doping in other sports. We close on the emotional toll of losing, raising a four-year-old daughter while traveling the circuit, and the surprising lack of a definitive beginner's guide to the game. __________________________________________________ Key Highlights 🇳🇱 The Golden Era of Dutch Bridge: Why the Netherlands keeps producing world-class pairs every five to ten years, and Tim's bet that the Dutch will be world champions again within the decade. 🏆 From Fill-ins to Full-Time Teammates: How Tim and Danny Molenaar went from last-minute fill-ins at a US National to permanent members of Patty Cayne's team, thanks to an Israeli pair's bad manners. 🔍 Catching Cheaters in the Bridge World: From Fisher and Schwartz to an online player who sent strategy messages to the wrong group chat, how Tim developed his instinct for spotting cheating. ⚖️ Bridge vs. Doping: Athletes get banned for trace substances, while bridge players suspected of cheating often walk free because federations demand an impossibly high standard of proof. 💔 The Emotional Weight of Losing: My tearful near-miss at the Lyon Transnationals, Tim's moment of self-doubt in Belgium, and how even top professionals lose far more often than they win. 👶 Life as a Bridge Pro and a Father: Two-week tournaments away from his four-year-old daughter Rosa, and coming home to find that "everything in our life is done by Mommy." 📚 The Missing Beginner's Guide to Bridge: Berry Westra's untranslated book, apps like Tricky Bridge, and why the game still lacks a simple learning path for new players. __________________________________________________ Resources & Next Steps 🎴 Learn more about the Dutch Bridge Federation (Nederlandse Bridge Bond) 📱 Try Tricky Bridge, the bridge learning app by Scott Hoffer 📖 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Bridge, recommended for beginners 🏅 Follow the Dutch Athletes Committee and their Olympic qualification work 🎧 Subscribe to The Setting Trick on Apple Podcasts

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Ep: 108: Luc Bellicaud on Building Lia, the Bridge Robot Beating Humans at Their Own Game

In this episode, I sit down with Luc Bellicaud - a three-time Junior World Champion from France and the developer of Lia, the AI bridge robot at IntoBridge. Why is Luc the first French bridge player I’ve interviewed? Because last month, IntoBridge, launched a powerful new AI coaching tool, named after him. Coach Luc is designed to help beginner and intermediate players spot their bidding mistakes(!) in real time. And I wanted the scoop! Luc started building Lia as an intern, describing himself as "quite clueless." Through time he has created an excellent partner and opponent. We discuss how he built her from the ground up and how he fixes her mistakes. Having the coach named after you comes with pressure! Luc shares the controversy over Lia's full-deal access and why LLMs are still no match for hand-coded bridge logic. Luc dates a bridge player who represents France internationally - and amusingly, she works for rival company Funbridge! Together they run a free weekly beginners club in Lille, fuelled by…FREE PIZZA! Away from the table, Luc runs France's biggest YouTube bridge channel. He also refuses to fly unless he must in order to represent his country. 10:20 PM Key Highlights: 🤖 Building Lia from Scratch: Starting with zero experience, Luc built Lia into a top bridge robot opponent and partner. 🎓 Coach Luc Goes Live: A brand-new AI feature giving real-time bidding feedback, now in beta. 🃏 Full Deal Access: Lia sees the full deal during card play - not to cheat, but for speed and better user experience. 🎥 YouTube & Bidding Systems: Luc runs France's biggest bridge YouTube channel and invented his own bidding system as a joke. Resources and Next Steps: 🤖 Try Coach Luc on IntoBridge - Play a game and see if Coach Luc has any notes on your bidding. ▶️ Watch Luc's French Bridge YouTube Channel for weekly bridge content and lessons. 🎬 Watch the documentary Double Dummy featuring the USA junior team - with some familiar faces from Luc's opponents. 🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. YouTube Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction – Luc Bellicaud 1:53 Coach Luc: The AI Bidding Coach on IntoBridge 7:06 Learning Bridge: Beginners, Teachers & The Lille Club 14:07 Bridge Companies, FunBridge Fallout & AI Controversy 23:21 Building Lia: Coding, Bidding Logic & Design Choices 36:06 The Story Behind Lia’s Name 39:22 Bridge Life: Travel, Tournaments & Playing with His Girlfriend 49:47 Bridge Systems, Partners & Competitive Play 58:39 The Bermuda Bowl Final in Lyon 1:04:04 Double Dummy Documentary & Youth Championships 1:13:00 Luc’s YouTube Channel & Closing

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Ep: 107: Adam Parrish on Leveling Up, Writing Bridge Books and What It Takes to Win at the Nationals

In this episode, I sit down with Adam Parrish, a two-time winner of the American Bridge Teachers Book of the Year Award, host of the Leveling Up podcast, and author of six bridge books. Adam spent all of 2025 on a self-improvement project, dedicating an entire year to getting better at bridge while documenting every step publicly. We dive into what that year actually looked like, from tracking hours of study instead of chasing results, to working with top coaches like Joyjit Sensarma and learning key lessons from players like Steve Weinstein, Bobby Levin, and Gavin Wolpert. Did he actually level up? We also dig into some boards from the team trials, the art of listening as a podcaster, and why Adam believes you cannot improve in isolation. He shares stories about his longtime partner Greg Humphreys, how their NABC Fast Pairs win unfolded in Reno, and his experience playing the USA Team Trials on LoveBridge. Plus, we explore his journey from learning bridge from his maternal grandmother to writing a bridge novel, and what it takes to truly level up at this humbling, wonderful game. Key Highlights: 📋 The Leveling Up Project: Adam spent all of 2025 publicly documenting his year-long mission to improve at bridge, tracking hours of study and process rather than just chasing results. 🏆 NABC Fast Pairs Victory: The story behind winning the national Fast Pairs with partner Greg Humphreys in Reno, including the celebration dinner, the trophy photo scandal, and the near-repeat the following year derailed by COVID. 🎯 Learning from the Best: How working with coaches like Joyjit Sensarma, and picking the brains of Gavin Wolpert, Bobby Levin, and Steve Weinstein, transformed Adam's approach to system and decision-making at the table. 🖥️ LoveBridge Team Trials Deep Dive: Why Adam loves the USA Team Trials format on LoveBridge, how he uses VuGraph sessions for study, and who is more fun to share a room with Marty Fleisher or Kevin Bathurst at the event. 📚 Six Books and Counting: From a bridge novel to "When to Draw Trumps" and beyond, Adam explains what inspires each book, how student feedback shapes his writing, and why a simple request can turn into 350 pages. 🎭 The Art of the Interview: A candid conversation between two podcast hosts about preparation, listening, letting conversations breathe, and why going in without a rigid agenda produces the best results. Resources & Next Steps: 🎧 Listen to Adam's podcast: Leveling Up with Adam Parrish. 📰 Explore Adam's monthly newsletter. 📖 Browse Adam's bridge books including When to Draw Trumps and his other titles. 💻 Check out the Love Bridge and experience the online bridge platform Adam recommends for serious study. 🎴 Watch hands and study expert play using Bridge Winners, the website built by Greg. 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:05 Meet Adam Parrish and the Leveling Up podcast 4:06 What is the Leveling Up project and why he started it 6:57 Tracking process over results and working with a sports psychology coach 9:12 A tough year at the nationals with Greg Humphries 11:10 Why you cannot improve alone and the value of mentorship 13:26 Has Greg actually leveled up? Talking about his long-time partner 18:16 Live hand analysis from the USA Team Trials 25:00 What separates different levels of players on the same decision 27:13 The most consistent takeaway from a year of learning from the best 35:58 Learning bridge from his maternal grandmother 38:01 Finding duplicate bridge in high school and college 42:44 The NABC Fast Pairs win in Reno with Greg Humphries 46:41 Third place in the Platinum Pairs and the revoke karma story 50:47 Stories about Greg Humphries and what makes him special 58:30 Trying to wrangle Greg for the GNT and team commitments 1:00:00 Why the LoveBridge Team Trials format is exceptional 1:02:43 How Adam uses view graph sessions for serious bridge study 1:05:06 Editing Kit Woolsey's Matchpoints and the book's legacy 1:06:55 Writing six bridge books and what inspires each one 1:15:00 Tournament routines, preparation, and the importance of rest 1:18:53 Podcast preparation and the art of the interview 1:22:47 Plans for the World Championships in Poland and upcoming events 1:25:42 Final reflections and wrap-up

Ep. 106: Avery Silverstein on Junior World Championships, Family Bridge Mentorship, and Chasing Gold

In this episode, I sit down with Avery Silverstein, a 17-year-old bridge prodigy who has fallen hard for the game. Despite her young age, Avery has already earned two medals at the Junior World Championships and reached the round of 16 in the Vanderbilt as my partner. We discuss her journey from family bridge club kid to international competitor, including having her father, professional player Aaron Silverstein, as her primary mentor. Avery talks candidly about balancing her senior year of high school with competitive bridge, her training regimen, and how she manages the pressure of representing her country on the world stage. From our dramatic 62-IMP comeback victory against the seventh seed to her heartbreaking silver medal finish at the U16 World Championships, Avery shares the emotional highs and lows of being deeply invested in the game. We explore her multifaceted life, which includes being close to a black belt in mixed martial arts and playing on her school's rugby team. Avery also discusses the college admissions process, her 26 college applications, and the possibility of taking a gap year to focus on professional bridge. With warmth and maturity beyond her years, she reflects on mentorship, the importance of being a great teammate, and her mission to help grow the next generation of junior players. Key Highlights: 🏆 Silver Medal Journey: Avery recounts her team's incredible comeback from being the bottom three or four teams after two days to reaching the final and earning silver at the U16 World Championships. 🎯 Epic Vanderbilt Comeback: The story of our partnership defeating the seventh seed in the Vanderbilt after being down 62 IMPs at halftime, including the dramatic final quarter where our opponents took a 10-minute break and we closed with three consecutive double-digit wins. 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Mentorship: Avery discusses the unique dynamics of having Aaron Silverstein as both her dad and primary bridge mentor, including managing nepotism concerns, disagreeing with his advice 15-20% of the time, and how their system evolves differently from his professional partnerships. 📚 System Evolution: How Avery and her partner Jack Boge have built an 80-90 page system document by borrowing from top professionals, playing transfer club, constructive two-bids, and constantly refining their approach through weekly practice sessions. Resources & Next Steps: 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Start 0:00 Introduction to Avery Silverstein 1:30 Growing up with professional bridge player parents 2:10 Becoming better than mom at bridge 3:10 Life at the family bridge club 4:20 What friends think about bridge 6:30 Previous podcast appearances and media coverage 7:20 Managing school absences for tournaments 8:10 The beautiful Madeira tournament experience 15:00 Partnership dynamics and playing with different people 24:00 Competing at World Junior Championships 35:00 The intense preparation and practice routine 45:00 Memorable hands and tournament moments 55:00 International bridge community and friendships 1:03:00 Norwegian competitor Nikolai Berg Evans 1:05:00 The pressure of must-win matches 1:06:00 Silver medal heartbreak and "chasing gold" 1:07:30 Weekend plans and upcoming tournaments 1:08:10 MMA training and competition record 1:09:00 Four gold medals and three silver medals in MMA 1:10:00 Looking ahead to St. Louis and future competitions

Ep. 105: Teaching Bridge to a New Generation with Maya Jonas-Silver

I was inspired to interview Maya Jonas-Silver, because of this post she made on Bridge Winners bemoaning the lack of playing opportunities for her recent bridge initiates. After winning the 2023 20-50 Mini McKenney award Maya hasn't stopped. She has become a passionate advocate for bringing young adults into the game. Here she shares her journey from learning bridge at summer camp to becoming a bridge teacher and director at Honors Bridge Club in New York City. Her teaching philosophy, that bridge doesn't need to be intimidating or require years of study before you can actually play and enjoy the game, has helped me be more willing to introduce friends to the game using her framework. Maya believes in getting beginners to the table quickly, and no feedback! We discuss the barriers facing young bridge players, from finding affordable games to navigating the tournament scene without mentors. Maya reflects on the critical moments in her own bridge career, when someone like Yoko Sobel stepped in to encourage her and her husband Jack. She also shares her vision for growing the game, including making beginner classes more accessible, creating online teaching modules, and building a network of bridge mentors to help newcomers transition from lessons to competitive play. Plus, we touch on the joys and challenges of playing bridge with your spouse and balancing bridge with parenthood. _____________________________________________________________ Key Highlights: 🎓 Teaching Bridge Fast: Maya's approach to teaching beginners focuses on getting people playing right away. She believes bridge is simple enough to learn in an hour and emphasizes playing over endless study. 🏆 From Beginner to National Competitor: Maya shares how she went from playing kitchen table bridge to qualifying for Nationals in GNT, finishing second and sending teams to represent New York, including students who had only been playing for 6-18 months. 💡 The Mentorship Gap: Maya discusses how critical it was to have people like Yoko Sobel, Alan Davidson, and Drew Cavalier invest in her development, and why building a network of mentors for young adults is essential for growing the game. 🎯 Making Bridge Accessible: Maya advocates for free or low-cost beginner games, online teaching modules, and better pathways from lessons to duplicate play. She sees young adults as an underserved demographic in the bridge world who need structured support. ❤️ Playing with Your Partner: Maya and her husband Jack navigate the joys and tensions of being bridge partners and life partners. She shares their philosophy: she can handle being the better player, but when he's better, expectations get too high! 🎲 Bridge vs. Board Games: Maya compares bridge to popular board games like Settlers of Catan, arguing that bridge is actually simpler than many games people willingly spend hours learning. _____________________________________________________________ Resources & Next Steps: 📱 Practice your skills on FunBridge - Maya's favorite app for beginners because you can replay hands and learn from mistakes. 🎯 Bid with your partner asynchronously using Cuebids - A great tool for getting more practice without needing to coordinate schedules. 🏛️ Visit Maya at Honors Bridge Club in New York City (110 East 55th Street) for beginner classes and supervised play. 📱 Maya's Instructions for teaching bridge to beginners 🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. _____________________________________________________________ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Start 1:40 Mini McKenney win 2:40 Teaching young adults and the gap in bridge programs 5:00 Maya's 10-week teaching structure 6:20 GNT success: students qualifying for Nationals 8:20 Losing to the eventual GNT champions 11:00 Learning bridge at summer camp 14:00 Moving to New York and finding the bridge community 15:00 Meeting Yoko Sobel and bar bridge in Brooklyn 18:00 Becoming a director at Honors Bridge Club 19:00 Playing in the Mixed Trials 21:00 The importance of GNT for young players 23:00 Katie Sullivan and rare young bridge success stories 26:00 Playing with Omar in NAP 28:00 Playing with James Holzhauer (Jeopardy champion) 31:40 Bridge as a career and overcoming existential dread 35:00 Learning bridge at summer camp and teaching philosophy 36:40 Bridge as a victim of its own success 38:30 Teaching beginners: no trump, suited play, then bidding 40:00 Document for teaching friends in one hour 45:00 Teaching David Ger's friend at the bridge club 48:20 The importance of not giving too much feedback 53:00 Teaching quantitative traders how to bid 54:20 Working at Honors Bridge Club and directing 56:40 The Revenge Mitchell movement 1:00:30 Playing rubber bridge at the Regency 1:07:00 Making bridge free for young adults 1:09:40 Creating a compelling bridge film or series 1:11:00 Favorite resources: FunBridge and Cubits 1:16:20 Bridge fights and playing with your spouse 1:19:30 Bridge and parenthood 1:26:00 Getting hired to play vs. teaching 1:28:00 Studying human evolutionary biology at Harvard 1:30:00 The evolution of cooperation and bridge strategy

Ep. 104: From Water Polo to World Championships with Ethan Derman

In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Derman, a remarkable young talent who just got accepted early decision to the University of Virginia. Ethan shares his journey from playing baseball and water polo to becoming a junior world championship medalist in bridge. We dive into our dramatic Vanderbilt comeback against the heavily favored Rubenstein team featuring Zach Grossack, Michael Rosenberg, Joe Grue and Brad Moss. Where we were down 62 IMPs at the half. Then pulled of one of the most satisfying wins I've ever experienced. Ethan goes into his difficult decision to quit competitive baseball to focus on bridge, and how that choice has shaped his path forward. We explore how water polo taught him teamwork and mental toughness that translates directly to the bridge table. Ethan discusses his partnership with Avery Silverstein, training with legendary player Chip Martel, and invaluable coaching from Aaron Silverstein, Avery's dad. From winning silver and bronze medals at junior world championships to balancing college applications with tournament play, Ethan has a big future ahead in the game. His summer plans include playing multiple European tournaments as well as the nationals and world championships. Key Highlights: • 🎓 UVA Early Decision: Ethan shares the emotional moment of getting accepted to UVA early decision, his top choice. Though he's not sure how much he'll be involved with Hoos Playing Bridge, the UVA club. • 🏆 The Epic Vanderbilt Comeback: How our team, Silversetin and the Destroyers, rallied from down 62 IMPs at halftime to defeat the 8th overall-seed. • 🥈 World Championship Medals: Ethan recounts winning silver in the Under-16 and bronze in the Under-21 world championships, including dramatic qualification battles and playing against the best junior teams in the world. • ⚾ Choosing Bridge Over Baseball: The difficult decision to quit competitive baseball despite being on track for college recruitment, and how falling in love with bridge made that choice clear. • 🤽 Water Polo's Impact on Bridge: How being a varsity water polo player taught Ethan about teamwork, handling pressure, and the goldfish mentality of forgetting the last board, essential skills for competitive bridge. • 👨‍🏫 Training with the Best: Ethan's structured training regimen have at times included weekly sessions with Chip Martel, one of the winningest players in ACBL history, and constant mentorship from Aaron Silverstein. Resources & Next Steps: • 🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. • 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction and Welcome 1:45 Getting Into UVA Early Decision 5:41 Future Bridge Goals and Summer Training Plans 8:36 Training with Chip Martell 12:06 The Importance of Mentorship in Bridge 15:17 First Meeting and Playing Together 22:39 Starting Bridge and Playing with Paul Holmes 26:46 Traveling Solo to Tournaments 30:13 Family Background and Bridge Heritage 32:58 College and Career Goals in Finance 35:31 Balancing Bridge with Future Career 37:17 Water Polo and Its Impact on Bridge 42:38 Aaron Silverstein as Coach and Mentor 43:17 The Epic Vanderbilt Comeback Against Grue-Moss 50:10 Quitting Baseball to Focus on Bridge 54:31 Under-16 World Championship Silver Medal 01:01:04 Under-21 World Championship Bronze Medal 01:07:45 The Importance of Aaron's Coaching 01:12:32 Beating Team Rubenstein - Biggest Achievement 01:14:04 Playing on Vugraph Against World-Class Players 01:19:54 Summer Bridge Tour Plans in Europe 01:22:27 Friends' Reactions to Bridge Career 01:26:11 Wrap Up and Looking Ahead

Ep. 103: Antonio Palma Finally Breaks Through After Seven Straight Finals Losses

I'm thrilled to welcome Antonio Palma from Portugal to the show today. Antonio has had an incredible run of second-place finishes in recent years, including the Rosenblum, European Mixed Championships, Soloway Knockouts, and Spingold. Last year, he broke through by winning the pairs in Madeira, leading Sjoert Brink to call him the best matchpoint player in the world, and then claiming the Club de Compiastre trophy at the South American Championships. But the real celebration came recently when he finally won the Reisinger at the Fall NABC, ending that streak of seven consecutive finals losses. It was a relief, Antonio says. In our conversation, Antonio opens up about what those years of finishing second felt like, the moment he realized he'd won the Reisinger (he wasn't even playing the final set!), and his journey from professional poker player to bridge champion. We discuss how poker shaped his approach to pressure moments and reading cards, why defense is his favorite part of the game, his challenges with tilting at the table, and the soon to be legendary hand where he took 23 minutes to defend two hearts and made Bobby Levin want to quit bridge. This was a particularly enjoyable conversation with one of bridge's rising stars. ___________________________________________________________________ Key Highlights: 🏆 Breaking the Curse: After seven consecutive finals losses, Antonio finally won the Reisinger and describes the overwhelming relief of no longer wondering if he was good enough to win the big one. 🍺 Watching from the Bar: Antonio didn't play the final set. Instead, he watched from the bar with Johan Upmark, drinking beer, watching football and hoping! 🃏 From Poker Pro to Bridge Champion: Antonio was previously a professional. He explains how those skills help him read cards, handle pressure, and control emotions during critical moments in bridge. 🛡️ Defense is Everything: Antonio reveals that defense is his favorite part of bridge, and miscommunication on defense is what tilts him the most, especially when signals get crossed. 😤 The Tilt is Real: Multiple teammates confirm that Antonio tilts easily at the table. He admits it's his South European blood and shares the story of a complex diamond lead that went wrong and cost them a critical board. ⏱️ The 23-Minute Defense: Antonio took 23 minutes to defend two hearts, eventually finding the only winning line. Bobby Levin responded in the chat saying he wanted to quit bridge, and Antonio's team still lost the match by forty-six IMPs. 🤝 Nystrom as Mentor: Antonio credits Fredrik Nystrom as his best teammate and mentor who takes every question seriously, helps him improve, and understands when he needs space after tilting. 🥈 European Mixed Silver Medal: Playing with Andrea Nilsson, Simon Holt, and Maya Lo Björk Heed, Antonio made it to the European Mixed Championships final in 2023, losing by just five IMPs. ___________________________________________________________________ Resources & Next Steps: 🎧 More Stories Like This - Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick - Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 102: Ella & Julie – Denmark's Rising Stars in Women's Bridge

In this episode, John McAllister sits down with Julie Marina Sigsgaard and Ella Rosthøj, two young Danish players whose friendship, partnership, and love of bridge have taken them from neighborhood kids to representing Denmark on the world stage. Despite only playing bridge for a handful of years, their dedication and countless hours at the table have already earned them national titles, international medals, and unforgettable experiences around the world. Ella and Julie share how they grew from casual juniors to key members of Denmark's women's team, the story of their dramatic run at the Champions Cup, what it's like balancing bridge with school and gap years, and why having boyfriends who also play bridge is essential! With warmth and humor, they also open up about temper at the table, tears after tough losses, and the joy of winning B finals (again and again). Key Highlights: 🌟 From Neighbors to Teammates: How growing up just 200 meters apart led to a lifelong friendship and eventual bridge partnership. 🏆 Venice Cup Debut: Their first appearance on Denmark's women's national team — finishing 5th in qualification and nearly upsetting China. 🎉 Champions Cup Drama: The heartbreak of an 88–88 tie decided on a technicality — and why they're determined to come back stronger. ❤️ Bridge & Boyfriends: Both partners found love through the game and share how bridge shapes their relationships. 😂 Badminton Battles & Bloopers: From live-streamed badminton matches against the Bilde brothers to funny tournament moments. 📸 Building Junior Bridge DK: How their Instagram page is helping grow the game — and how they're planning to secure a Pepsi Max sponsorship. Resources & Next Steps: 📲 Follow Ella & Julie's journey on Junior Bridge DK Instagram 📰 Learn more about the Venice Cup and international women's bridge events 🎥 Watch the documentary Double Dummy featuring the USA junior team (with familiar faces from their opponents!) 🎤 Catch up on past episodes featuring Christina Lund Madsen and other Danish stars 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 Start 6:33 Representing Denmark at the Venice Cup 7:36 Facing China in the knockout rounds 17:05 Champions Cup run and the controversial ending 21:38 Growing Junior Bridge DK Instagram and chasing sponsorships 23:16 Life as juniors, gap years, and constant bridge practice 31:18 Traveling the world for tournaments (Memphis, Iceland, Prague, Cyprus) 44:17 Denmark's Bermuda Bowl run and watching at Fox & Hounds bar 57:02 Fun stories: badminton matches and team camaraderie 1:08:22 Balancing relationships, studies, and bridge ambitions 1:22:39 Christina as a mentor and "guardian angel" for Danish juniors 1:26:29 Reflections on their journey and what's next

Ep. 101: Emanuel Unge – All in for Bridge, Building the Premier Bridge Practice Tool

In this episode, John McAllister sits down with Emanuel Unge, the creator of Cue Bids, the hottest app in bridge today. Emanuel shares how he discovered bridge at age 25. After years of poker and board games, and how that late start completely reshaped his life — leading him to meet his wife, build lifelong friendships, and ultimately create a platform that has transformed how players practice bidding worldwide. From his early simulations to today's sleek app used by the world's best, Emanuel opens up about the passion and persistence behind Cue Bids, why feedback drives innovation, and how features like Leak Finder are helping players spot weaknesses and grow. Along the way, he talks about competing in Sweden, balancing tech with family, his surprising victories at the table, and even what he'd say to Bill Gates if the two crossed paths at a tournament. Key Highlights: 🃏 From Poker to Bridge: Emanuel's journey from card games and Settlers of Catan to finding bridge at 25 and never looking back. 💡 The Birth of Cue Bids: How a simple coding project grew into a global app used daily by pros to sharpen their bidding. 📊 Leak Finder: The newest feature that compares your bidding accuracy to the field — and why it's become Emanuel's favorite tool. 🤝 Bridge & Community: Stories of making friends, teaming up with Swedish stars, and even meeting his wife through the game. 🌍 The Underdog Upset: Emanuel's favorite bridge memory — knocking out a top seed at the Spingold in Toronto. 🔮 Dream Features: From teaching beginners to building world-class robots, Emanuel imagines what unlimited resources could bring to bridge tech. Resources & Next Steps: 📲 Try Cue Bids for yourself: cuebids.com 🎤 Join the Cue Bids Discord to share feedback and connect with other players 📰 Read Kaplan Upsets Struul: A Tale from an Underdog on Bridge Winners (co-written by Emanuel's wife, Erika) 👀 Follow Emanuel's updates and Cue Bids features on Bridge Winners and social media Episode Breakdown: 0:00 Start 0:00 Emanuel's late start in bridge at 25 and how it changed his life 0:01 Meeting his wife through bridge and creating Cue Bids 1:25 Why many pros practice on Cue Bids daily 1:38 Emanuel's background: family, math, computers, and games 2:26 First bridge lesson and early enthusiasm from other players 4:10 Friendships and first partners in bridge (Erica, Clara, Simon Beck, Fredrik Alfredson) 7:28 Playing with Erica, moving to London, and eventually marrying her 8:07 Career as a developer and passion for board games (Settlers of Catan) 9:54 Moving to London for consulting work and balancing bridge & relationships 12:08 How Cue Bids began as a coding side project and proof of concept 13:59 Partnering with Daniel Goldberg to build Cue Bids into a real product 17:37 Launching features like Leak Finder and how it works 20:54 Community feedback and feature growth (Discord, events, pro challenges) 23:18 How top players use Cue Bids in practice and events 25:16 Fixing scoring quirks and improving simulation accuracy 27:54 Ranked challenges, Jack/Queen/King/Ace system, and ELO scoring 33:01 Working full-time on Cue Bids and why Emanuel turned down big tech jobs 37:02 His dream feature: beginner bidding courses & stronger robots 45:52 Cue Bids growth to 25,000+ users and partnerships (Lea robot, InBridge) 52:57 Emanuel's greatest bridge memory: the Toronto upset vs. Strul 1:27:07 Closing thoughts, Bill Gates hopes, and plans for San Francisco

Ep. 100: Christina Lund Madsen – Bridge's Master Mixer

In this episode, John McAllister sits down with Christina Lund Madsen, a writer, journalist, tournament organizer, and world-class competitor, coming off of winning her third European Mixed Team Championship. Known for her sharp wit and fearless bidding, Christina shares how she uses storytelling to connect people, celebrate the game, and show bridge as more than just cards on a table. From her unlikely appearance at a European junior camp to her eventually becoming a world champion, Christina opens up about balancing motherhood, career, and competition, and why laughter and vulnerability matter as much as trophies. Key Highlights: ✍️ Stories That Stick: In her writing, Christina aims to uncover the humor, heartbreak, and humanity of bridge. Here she captures the essence of bridge icon Zia Mahmood. 🌍 On the World Stage: Memorable moments from competing internationally and what those experiences taught her. 🎭 Behind the Curtain: The pressures and rewards of finding students/sponsors to play in top-level tournaments around the globe. 👩‍👧 Life Off the Table: How motherhood and divorce reshaped her identity and her approach to competition. ❤️ The Real Wins: Why Christina believes friendships, stories, and joy outlast medals and rankings. Resources & Next Steps: 🌟 Support women in bridge. 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 99: Eat Like Gold: David Gold on Bridge, Food, and Playing with Legends

This is a long anticipated conversation for our host John McAllister as he finally sits down with English star David Gold. David considers himself lucky to play with legends Zia Mahmood for the North American Bridge Championships and Andrew Robson for the English open team. Fresh off competing in the European Bridge Championships in Poznań, Poland, David shares insights into his bridge journey, memorable stories, and his passion for food, highlighted by his new Instagram project, Eat Like Gold. Key Highlights: 🍽️ Food Adventures: The seeds for this episode took place between rounds of the European championships. David had just launched his Instagram account, sharing behind-the-scenes footage from kitchens and his unique experiences trying new cuisines while traveling for bridge tournaments. 🃏 Legendary Partnerships: Dive into David's experiences playing with bridge legends Zia Mahmood and Andrew Robson, including arguably one of the better bid hands of all-time, an unforgettable seven-diamond contract. 🏅 Bridge Career Reflections: David reflects on significant milestones, such as finishing second in the 2008 Olympiad, emphasizing how rare these opportunities can be. 👨‍👧‍👦 Family Life: David shares the joys and humor of parenting two young children and how family life balances with the competitive bridge scene. 🎬 Creating Content: Hear about David's journey into social media content creation, his philosophy of storytelling through food, and his inspirations, including the legendary Anthony Bourdain. Resources & Next Steps: Stay tuned for his upcoming bridge competitions, including the Bermuda Bowl and North American Bridge Championships. Explore David's recommended eateries and hidden food gems around the globe. 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 98: From Control Room to Card Table: Tracy Brines' Unique Journey in Bridge and Nuclear Power

In this captivating episode, John McAllister welcomes Tracy Brines, whose extraordinary background spans naval service, nuclear power plant operations, and competitive bridge. Tracy reveals engaging stories from his Navy days, shares intense experiences from his time managing nuclear power plant control rooms, and discusses how these high-stakes roles shaped his bridge-playing strategies. Tune in to explore Tracy's journey—from his introduction to bridge in college, navigating intense military deployments, to competing in national bridge tournaments alongside his wife. Key Highlights: ⚓ From Navy to Nuclear: Tracy explains how rigorous Navy training prepared him for high-pressure roles in nuclear plant operations, where critical thinking and error prevention are paramount. 🔥 Critical Moments: Discover Tracy's most intense experiences in nuclear operations, including emergency reactor shutdowns and managing complex safety protocols. 🃏 Bridge & Life Lessons: Tracy draws insightful parallels between nuclear safety protocols and bridge strategies, highlighting error prevention, risk assessment, and maintaining composure. 🏆 Competitive Drive: Listen to Tracy's experiences at national bridge events, including memorable matches against elite players, and his continuous pursuit of improvement. ❤️ Family and Bridge: Tracy shares humorous anecdotes about teaching bridge to his wife Maureen, their competitive dynamics, and their successes at tournaments. Resources & Next Steps: Follow Tracy's bridge journey at upcoming national events, including the prestigious Spingold. Explore Tracy's recommended readings, such as Mike Lawrence's bridge strategy books. 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 97: From Hearts to Champion: John McAllister's Personal Bridge Odyssey

In a special solo episode, John McAllister shares his own personal journey into the world of bridge. John takes listeners from his first bridge game with Aunt Kathleen to major tournament wins, highlighting the mentors, friends, and unexpected encounters that shaped his bridge career. Listen in for heartfelt anecdotes, insights into learning bridge, and John's reflections on pivotal moments and memorable players he met along the way. Key Highlights: 🎲 First Steps in Bridge: Discover how a casual game with family sparked John's lifelong passion for bridge. 🌉 Learning the Ropes: John recalls early mentorship from Chouky Neal and playing with promising talents like Jason Holderness. 🏆 Breakthrough Moments: Relive John's first significant tournament victory at the NABC and his ambitious venture into international competition. 🤝 Influential Connections: Hear stories about bridge legends and mentors like Gavin Wolpert, Jeff Hand, George Mittelman, and the late Eric Kokish. 💰 Rubber Bridge Adventures: John humorously shares his first encounter playing rubber bridge in London, meeting Zia Mahmood, and the memorable experience of cash winnings. 🌟 Major Wins: John reflects on his notable victories, including the Mitchell Board-a-Match, the Mixed Swiss, and the WBT Reykjavik Masters. 🃏 Friendship and Growth: Learn how playing with friends like Lilly Justman helped sharpen John's competitive edge and joy for bridge. Resources & Next Steps: Follow John's upcoming journey at the European Championships. Explore John's documentary Double Dummy for deeper insights into bridge. 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 96: From Underdogs to USA-1: Inside Adam Grossack's Epic Bridge Victory

In this unforgettable episode, John McAllister sits down with Adam Grossack, fresh off his team's stunning victory in the US Open Trials. Adam shares candid stories from the tournament, detailing how his four-handed team navigated intense matches, strategic pairings, and unexpected twists to claim the prestigious USA-1 spot in the Bermuda Bowl. Dive into behind-the-scenes insights on the team dynamics, preparation tactics, and pivotal hands that shaped their incredible run. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🎯 Strategic Team Building: Adam reveals why pairing with veteran Eddie Wold and allowing younger teammates Adam Kaplan and Finn to sort out their partnership proved crucial. 🔥 Tension and Triumph: Relive intense matches against top teams like Nickel and Wolfson, and discover how Adam and his teammates maintained focus even during massive leads. 👏 Celebrating Comebacks: Learn how Adam Kaplan's return to competitive bridge after a five-year hiatus helped propel the team to victory. 😂 Behind the Scenes Humor: Adam shares hilarious anecdotes involving bridge legends, including humorous interactions with Jeff Meckstroth and Zia Mahmood. 💍 Personal Milestones: Beyond bridge, Adam discusses wedding preparations, playing bridge with his fiancée, and the balancing act between professional and personal life. Resources & Next Steps: Follow the team's journey at the upcoming Bermuda Bowl in Denmark. USBF Credentials Committee 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 95: Cheating, Convictions, and Compassion: Inside the American Contract Bridge League's Recorder's Office with Jeff Edelstein

Ever feel like you have been cheated playing bridge online? Have you taken the time to report the pair by filing a player memo? Join John McAllister as he sits down with Jeff Edelstein, the ACBL recorder and a Grand Life Master, for a revealing conversation about the nuances of cheating detection, ethical prosecution, and the human stories behind bridge's biggest integrity challenges. From Edgar, the cutting-edge cheating detection software, to personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, this episode unpacks the complexities of keeping bridge fair, and human. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🎖️ Grand Life Master: Jeff Edelstein shares his journey, including winning the North American Pairs with Matthew Weingarten. 🧑‍⚖️ What Does a Recorder Do? – Edelstein explains his role in investigating player memos, and what happens once a complaint is filed. 📊 Edgar's Precision – Learn about Edgar, a powerful detection software designed by Franco Baseggio and Brian Platnick, which analyzes bridge hands for cheating patterns. 🕵️ Manual Investigation vs. Edgar – Edelstein describes the painstaking manual review process compared to Edgar's lightning-fast analysis. ⚠️ Real-life Consequences – Jeff shares the story of John's misconduct, highlighting how disciplinary processes affect players. ❤️ Compassion in Discipline – Edelstein discusses shifting from a strict disciplinary perspective to embracing compassion and rehabilitation. 🗣️ Proper Conduct – What constitutes ethical breaches and how to appropriately address suspected cheating or misconduct at the table. 🚨 Changes in ACBL Discipline – How Edgar has transformed disciplinary processes from handling a few cases monthly to managing hundreds. Resources & Next Steps: 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 94: From Iceland to Delray: Svenni Eiriksson on Friendship, Risk, and Reinvention

What happens when a car rental mishap, a spur-of-the-moment bridge partnership, and a life-changing move from Iceland to Florida collide? You get Svenni Eiriksson, a bridge player whose story is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply human. John McAllister sits down with his former partner and friend to relive the many twists, laughs, and breakthroughs of Svenni's journey from Icelandic tournaments to an NABC win in the U.S. More than just a fun loving, lover of laughing, Svenni impressed John, as his partner by pulling off a trump coup without breaking a sweat. Svenni shares how bridge shaped his life, his move, and his community. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🎉 A Bridge Friendship for the Ages – John and Svenni met at the Icelandic Bridge Festival and went on to win their first NABC title as partners. 🚗 The Infamous Car Rental Saga – A botched pickup turned Icelandic comedy of errors that somehow involved loaning one's wife's car to a virtual stranger. 🏆 From 9 VPs to Victory – After a disastrous start in the Soloway, their comeback led to a dramatic NABC win at the Mitchell BAM. 🇮🇸 Leaving Iceland for Bridge – Svenni moved to Florida for a directing job and ended up becoming a full-time pro player, thanks in part to the Cappelletti' hospitality. 🤝 More Than Just Cards – From laughter to late-night dinners, Svenni reminds us that the best parts of bridge are often the people. 🧠 Visualization and Technique – Why Trump Coups come easy to Svenni, and how different minds see bridge differently. 🥶 Hot Springs and Spiked Tires – John and Svenni share Iceland travel stories, winter driving, and sausage shelf life. 🏀 From OKC Fan to Life Philosopher – What NBA playoffs, bingo taunts, and emotional regulation all say about life at the table and beyond. Resources & Next Steps: 📘 Book Mentioned: 30 Minutes to Precision by C.C. Wei 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.

Ep. 93: John's Jumbled Auction |It's Your Call!|

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Ep. 92: Lynn Castoldi – Winning with Joy, Scarves & Spades

In this episode, John interviews Lynn Castoldi, fresh off two huge wins at the Spring NABC — the 10K Knockout Teams and the Women's Swiss Teams, the latter by a razor-thin margin of just 0.13 VPs. With her signature laugh, Lynn shares the stories behind her victories, her partnership with Ann Karin Fuglestad, and how she went from getting kicked out of bridge lessons at a senior center to becoming a national champion. Along the way, we hear about bridge cruises, recruiting Egyptian pros on BBO, and the stylish team scarves that helped tie it all together. Whether she's playing with a world-class junior or her long-time partner the "Minister of Defense," Lynn brings enthusiasm, optimism, and a love of the game that's totally contagious. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🥇 Lynn won two events at the Spring NABC — including her first 10K title after finishing second the year before 🧣 Her Women's Swiss team wore matching scarves — her signature touch as team captain 🎲 She met her mixed partner Aly by chance on Bridge Base during COVID 💥 One highlight of the Women's Swiss: a gutsy 4♠ bid leading to a +1100 against a pro 🌎 Lynn played international events like Four Jacks in Dubai, repping the US 🧠 She's constantly learning — like practicing hand patterns and soaking up insights from partners like Greg Hinze and Christian Lahrmann 😂 Her signature laugh is well-known, and she isn't afraid to bring humor and lightness to even the most competitive tables Resources & Next Steps: 🎧 More Stories Like This – Subscribe to The Setting Trick wherever you listen to podcasts for more deep dives into the world of bridge. 📱 Follow @thesettingtrick – Stay connected on Instagram and for episode drops, tournament pics, and more.